A/HRC/40/70 29. On 24 November, in the early afternoon, pro-government forces launched an attack using mortar projectiles near al-Khansaa primary school in Jarjanaz. Some 250 children were playing in the schoolyard when a rocket-assisted mortar projectile exploded approximately 50 metres away, killing at least four boys aged between 8 and 10 years, and two girls aged 10 and 11 years. Numerous other children were injured. A pregnant female teacher, attempting to flee with her spouse and a four-year-old boy, was also killed, while the boy lost a limb during the shelling. One interviewee recalled seeing the dismembered bodies of children, along with their shoes and backpacks, scattered across the schoolyard. The shelling continued throughout the day, and a three-year-old girl was killed later that evening. 30. The Commission finds there are reasonable grounds to believe that, on three occasions, pro-government forces may not have directed their attacks at a specific military objective (see paras. 26 and 28–29 above). Launching indiscriminate attacks resulting in death or injury to civilians would amount to a war crime. In September, pro-government forces committed the war crime of intentionally targeting protected objects (see para. 27). Aleppo Governorate Western Aleppo countryside 31. Armed groups and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham terrorists also maintained their foothold in western Aleppo Governorate, where sporadic hostilities continued throughout the period under review. On 10 August, for example, pro-government forces carried out a series of air strikes in Urum al-Kubra town, home to some 35,000 residents, including civilians internally displaced from eastern Ghouta, Homs and eastern Aleppo city. Witnesses recalled how, within the span of 15 minutes, three consecutive air strikes were launched, with each strike consisting of four bombs. 32. The three air strikes killed at least 37 civilians, including 9 women, 12 girls and 7 boys, and injured at least 56 others, including 9 women, 6 girls and 12 boys. Damage from the attack spread over 250 metres, with witnesses recalling how up to 40 residential structures were destroyed and some 30 others partially damaged. After the attack, it took rescue workers more than two weeks to clear rubble and debris. 33. Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Nour al-Din al-Zanki clashed in the vicinity of Darat Izzah in September, some 30 kilometres from Urum al-Kubra town. The Commission was unable, however, to confirm the presence of armed actors or other legitimate military objectives in areas specifically affected and notes that launching indiscriminate attacks resulting in death or injury to civilians would amount to a war crime. Afrin and adjacent areas 34. Credible estimates indicated that over 50 armed groups, including Free Syrian Army affiliates, also remained present throughout northern Aleppo, predominantly in Afrin District and in neighbouring Azaz District. During the period under review, these groups included Ahrar al-Sham, Amshad brigade, Faylaq al-Sham, Jaish al-Nukhba, Jaish alSharqiya, Jabhat al-Shamiya, Nur al-Din al-Zanki and Sumina Shah brigade, among others. 35. With the conclusion of Operation Olive Branch on 18 March 2018, civilians in Afrin immediately witnessed an end to large-scale military operations. The reprieve was shortlived, however, as overall security on the ground remained precarious throughout the reporting period. Fighting by armed factions for control over pockets of territory increased significantly. Frequent clashes included the use of car bombs and improvised explosive devices, particularly in the densely populated centres of Afrin and Azaz cities, which killed and injured dozens of civilians, including women and children. On 16 December, for example, a car bomb exploded in al-Hal vegetable market in Afrin city, killing up to 12 civilians and wounding scores of others. In rural areas of Afrin, including the north, the contamination of agricultural lands with landmines and explosive remnants caused further civilian casualties, including among children. 8